Historical past of the Ford Mustang GT

The GT badge has held numerous meanings all through the lifetime of the Ford Mustang. It began as a $165 package deal in 1965, starred as Steve McQueen’s hero automobile within the 1968 movie “Bullitt,” then took the Nineteen Seventies off earlier than marking the return of efficiency with the 5.0 within the Eighties, a lot to the delight of Vanilla Ice.

Whereas efficiency was its hallmark within the GT-390, 0-60 mph occasions didn’t drop appreciably for many years. That each one modified in 2011 when Ford shoved a brand new 5.0-liter V-8, this one with twin overhead cams, underneath the hood. At the moment, that engine and a contemporary suspension make the Mustang an American icon with the products to tackle the world.

Be part of us on a visit the the Mustang GT’s historical past, in all its American glory.

1965 Ford Mustang GT package deal

The Mustang GT didn’t begin as a mannequin, however as a $165 package deal that included disc brakes, twin exhaust, driving lights within the grille, badges, rocker panel racing stripes impressed by GT40, and a full gauge cluster as a substitute of fool lights. It additionally got here with the tools from the Particular Dealing with package deal, which included stiffer springs, heavy-duty shocks, a 13/16-inch sway bar, and a faster steering field. It was solely obtainable for 4-barrel variations of the 289-cubic-inch V-8, which made 225 or 271 hp. The package deal was not obtainable for the early automobiles known as 1964 ½ fashions. For the 1966 mannequin 12 months, it was solely provided on the hi-po 271-hp engine, however it was obtainable for all V-8s in 1967.

 

1968 Mustang GT-390

The weather of the 1965-67 Mustang GT tools group carried over into 1968, however they had been obtainable for 2 new engines: a 230-hp, 302-cubic-inch V-8 and a way more highly effective 390-cubic-inch V-8 that cranked out 335 ponies. The latter was referred to as the GT-390. The stripe moved up into the physique and bought a brand new “C” form to match the physique sculpting, and all of the GTs rode on Extensive Oval tires mounted on 6-inch-wide GT-style wheels. Ford provided the package deal for the hardtop coupe, the convertible, and the fastback. In Automobile and Driver testing, an automatic-equipped GT-390 posted a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.8 seconds. Final efficiency numbers didn’t matter, although, when Steve McQueen drove a 1968 Mustang GT-390 although the streets of San Francisco within the film “Bullitt” to create one of many all-time nice automobile chase scenes. That automobile grew to become so iconic that Ford has issued 4 special-edition Bullitt Mustang fashions within the ensuing years.

 

1982 Ford Mustang GT

The GT nomenclature went away for the 1970 mannequin 12 months and didn’t return till 1982. By now, Ford had moved on to the Fox-bodied Mustangs (and previous the unloved Mustang II period of 1974-1977). The brand new Mustang GT was powered by a 302-cubic-inch (5.0 liters) V-8 that produced a relatively anemic 157 hp and motivated the automobile to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds. Consumers may additionally select a 120-hp 255-cubic-inch V-8 as a credit score possibility. The automobile featured bucket seats, energy brakes with bigger entrance discs, Ford’s “handling” suspension, and a locking rear differential. The Fox platform that debuted in 1979 for the third-generation Mustang additionally underpinned these efficiency stalwarts, the Ford Fairmont and the Mercury Zephyr, however it created a lightweight, nimble Mustang. In ’82, the Mustang GT was provided solely in a hatchback coupe physique fashion.

1983 Ford Mustang GT

The third-generation Mustang obtained its first facelift in 1983, with a rounder nostril and a narrower grille. A convertible physique fashion returned to the Mustang lineup for the primary time in a decade and have become obtainable for the GT. Ford bumped the 5.0-liter V-8 to 175 hp with a brand new carburetor and modifications to the valvetrain and exhaust system, and switched the guide from a 4-speed to a brand new close-ratio 5-speed Borg Warner T-5 gearbox. The GT additionally obtained wider 220/55 tires on wheels barely bigger than 15 inches, a bigger anti-roll bar, softer rear springs, and higher-effort steering. Mid mannequin 12 months, Ford added a 140-cubic-inch turbo-4 model of the GT utilizing the engine from the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. The engine produced 145 hp and 180 pound-feet of torque. Whereas the V-8 GT may conquer the 0-60 mph run in shut to 6 seconds, the Turbo wanted virtually 10 seconds. Worse but, the Turbo lacked an automated transmission and air con and price $250 greater than the V-8 GT. Solely 483 1983 Turbo GTs had been constructed.

 

1987 Ford Mustang GT

For the 1987 mannequin 12 months, Ford toyed with the concept of a front-wheel-drive Mustang based mostly on a Mazda platform, however selected a refreshed Fox-body automobile as a substitute after protests from Mustang followers. The revised 1987 Mustang had a smoother look with flush-mounted headlights. The 302-cubic-inch V-8, the famed 5.0, was now as much as 225 hp, matching the Mustang’s Camaro and Firebird rivals. The Mustang was about 100 kilos heavier than earlier than, so the 0-60 mph time was nonetheless within the six-second vary, however now the highest velocity was slightly below 150 mph. The engine grew to become as a lot of a star because the automobile. Vanilla Ice bragged about “Rollin’ in my 5.0” whereas sampling The Steve Miller Band. Consumers may additionally get the 5.0 and the GT’s sport suspension within the much less flashy LX trim, which proved well-liked as a sleeper decide. GT or LX, the Mustang was a efficiency cut price, priced about $3,500 lower than the Camaro.

 

1994 Ford Mustang GT

Ford spent $700 million to revamp the Mustang for 1994, far lower than the $3 billion it had spent on the 1986 Taurus. That meant the Fox platform would stay, although Ford made it a lot stiffer and now referred to as it Fox-4 whereas the brand new automobile was code named SN95. The physique obtained a brand new design that integrated components of the previous and the brand new. In all, 1,330 of the 1,850 elements had been new. Beneath the hood of the GT the 5.0 returned, now with 215 hp, 60 lower than the Camaro and Firebird. Automobile and Driver posted a 0-60 mph run of 6.1 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.9 seconds, numbers that had been no higher than they’d been a decade earlier. Consumers may get the GT in a notchback coupe and a convertible, with costs up significantly from 1993 regardless of the carryover underpinnings.

1999 Ford Mustang GT

Ford gave the SN95 Mustang a refresh for 1999, the most important modifications had been sharper edges for the decrease parts of the physique; Ford referred to as it New Edge Design. Straight-line efficiency was lastly beginning to enhance. Ford had swapped out the GT’s pushrod 5.0-liter V-8 for a 4.6-liter dual-overhead cam V-8 in 1997, however this 12 months it added 35 hp for a complete of 250 and that made the distinction. Motor Development posted a 5.4-second 0-60 mph run and a 14.0-second quarter-mile time, each of which nonetheless trailed the Camaro. All Mustangs dealt with higher, too, due to a wider rear observe that now matched the entrance, firmer springs, and higher on-center really feel for the steering. Nonetheless, the Fox physique roots of the automobile went again to 1979, and the construction was weak in comparison with extra trendy automobiles. Ford had repeatedly up to date the Mustang, however hadn’t put actual cash into it for many years.

2005 Ford Mustang GT

Ford lastly reworked the Mustang from the bottom up for the 2005 mannequin 12 months. The brand new look was decidedly retro. Chief designer J Mays cherry-picked exterior components from the previous; the nostril got here from the 1970 mannequin, the fastback from 1969, and the C-shaped character strains from 1965. The wheelbase grew by 5.8 inches to 107.1 inches, however the weight elevated by solely 100 kilos to three,450 kilos for the Mustang GT. The brand new platform let Ford engineers repair the ergonomic points that had plagued the inside for thus a few years, and it, too, had a retro look with an instrument binnacle proper out of the Sixties. Beneath the GT’s hood, the 4.6-liter V-8 returned. Now it pumped out 300 hp and 5.5-second 0-60 mph occasions for about $25,000. Sadly, the S197 Mustang, because it was referred to as internally, obtained a strong rear axle as a substitute of an impartial setup, a concession to maintain the value down.

 

2011 Ford Mustang GT

Ford lastly unlocked the GT’s energy achievement for the 2011 mannequin 12 months when it retired the modular 4.6-liter V-8 and introduced again the 5.0 badge. The brand new Coyote aluminum-alloy, 32-valve, dual-overhead cam V-8 featured new heads with variable cam timing. It spun out 412 hp, up from the 4.6’s 315. Ford additionally tweaked the GT’s suspension, switched to electrical help energy steering, added sound deadening, and provided an possibility for a Brembo brake package deal with 14.0-inch diameter rotors, 19-inch wheels, and summer time efficiency tires. The modifications did wonders for efficiency. Motor Development launched a Mustang GT from 0-60 mph in simply 4.3 seconds and coated the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds.

2015 Ford Mustang GT

A 2015 replace to the S550 era gave the Mustang one thing fans had been clamoring for for ages: an impartial “integral-link” rear suspension. Ford additionally widened the rear observe and revised the entrance suspension geometry to higher work with the brand new rear finish and settle for bigger brakes. An improved inside obtained increased high quality supplies, extra space, and higher ergonomics. On the surface, the redesigned physique benefited from a sleeker, decrease, wider model of the look the automobile already had. Fastback coupe and convertible had been as soon as once more the physique fashion selections. Up entrance, Ford gave the Coyote 5.0-liter V-8 a light replace to supply 435 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Ford bought this Mustang worldwide, and for the primary time provided it with right-hand drive.

2018 Ford Mustang GT

The Mustang obtained an replace for the 2018 mannequin 12 months. The 5.0-liter V-8 made 460 hp for 2018 and patrons may select a brand new 10-speed automated transmission as a substitute of the 6-speed. Collectively, these upgrades minimize the 0-60 mph time to three.9 seconds. Nonetheless, the true efficiency features got here from Efficiency Packages 1 and a couple of. Efficiency Pack 1, which was launched in 2015, included 255/40 entrance and 275/40 rear summer time efficiency tires on 19-inch wheels, 6-piston Brembo entrance brakes with 15.0-inch rotors, a Ok-brace, a strut-tower brace, heavy-duty entrance springs, a bigger rear sway bar, a bigger radiator, a rear wing, and a Torsen limited-slip differential. To that the Efficiency Pack Stage 2 added wider 19-inch wheels mounted on 305/30 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, track-inspired springs and entrance sway bar, magnetic trip dampers, a entrance splitter, and a distinct rear wing. This package deal, which ran $6,500, was Ford’s reply the Camaro’s 1LE possibility, and it turned the Mustang GT right into a observe performer and a real sports activities automobile.

2024 Ford Mustang GT

The seventh era of the Mustang, internally dubbed S650, arrived for 2024 as an replace of the S550 mannequin and due to this fact remained on the sixth era’s DC2 platform. Ford tweaked the suspension elements for higher responsiveness and elevated the steering ratio from 16:1 to fifteen.5:1. The Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter V-8 elevated to 500 hp due to an extended period exhaust camshaft and twin digital throttle our bodies fed by a dual-airbox consumption. The styling modified little, however the rear haunches grew to become extra pronounced, the beltline was lowered, and the flanks wore fewer creases. Inside, the primary change was a brand new wall of screens. The 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster was highlighted by an obtainable Fox Physique theme, whereas the brand new 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen ran on Sync 4 know-how. The automobile added some new toys to shock and delight your folks, too, together with Distant Rev and an digital Drift Brake, to hitch the road lock, downshift rev matching, and shift mild. As soon as once more, the Efficiency Package deal was the best way to go for efficiency fans, including a entrance strut tower brace, a Torsen limited-slip differential, magnetic dampers, wider rear wheels and tires, bigger brakes, Recaro bucket seats, an energetic exhaust, and higher cooling.